Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

We were anxious to move in respect of the creation of new Department of public expenditure and reform and to appoint a Secretary General to that Department. That process moved quickly, partly because the Deputy was asking why the Minister was not in the House to answer questions about the new Department. There is a board in place to deal with the expressions of interest and interviews for applicants for the post in the Department of children and youth affairs. That has been set up and people are being consulted.

As I understand it, an interview board has not been set up but that will happen shortly. It will be followed by a process to fill the position of Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach. The criteria that will be set out will include experience, competence and a capacity to manage and deal with personnel, other Departments and a broad range of issues. We will publish those criteria when they are available.

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